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Friends of Red Kitesin the North East of England.
This new Group has been formed, to continue the work begun by the Northern Kites Project, which ends this month.
The Project has left an important legacy and many volunteers felt that the guardianship of the kites should not be abandoned.
We marked the birth of the Group FoRK with a Rolling Launch on Friday 10th July. Go-Northeast gave us a Kite Bus for five hours, and we went first to the Lintzford Garden Centre and then to Gibside where we were given special permission to park the Bus in the car park.
Altogether, we spoke to about 160 people, some of whom elected to become members. It costs £6 for an individual and £8 for a household, regardless of number.
The Membership Secretary is Judy Summerson, 12 Sunnidale, Fellside Park, Whickham, NE16 5TT. We need the talents, energy and interest of those who hold dear the ever-growing kite population. We lost them once before; let's make sure that they survive for the enjoyment and enrichment of the lives of future generations.Tony Henderson gave us a good write-up in Saturday's Journal. Image 1- Judy with the Kite Bus, Banner and display. Image 2. Marian and June at the Lintzford Garden Centre.
We are grateful for the support of Go-Northeast, Lintzford Garden Centre and Gibside National Trust. We invite all those who respect the red kite and want to see it thrive to join us!

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Last edited by June Atkinson : Sunday 12th July 2009 at 22:46.
Reason: Additions

Congrats on the official launch June, I’m sure you’ll receive plenty of support locally, the official Northern Kites Project may be coming to an end but the kites themselves are thriving hereabouts, so Keith and the team (and all the volunteers of course) should be applauded for leaving the birds in such a healthy position, and it‘s great that so many people like yourself want to carry the work on in some way.

Having been resident at the heart of the project core area since it began, it’s noticeable that kite numbers and activity around the village are increasing all the time as the birds nest all around us and roost in good numbers at sites close by during autumn and winter, but five years on, I and many others still stop in the street to watch them soar overhead, it‘s something you never tire of or take for granted, a privilege in fact.

I picked up a FoRK leaflet at Thornley the other day so will be enrolling the family very soon, so good luck with it all, and I’ll post anything of interest from a locals viewpoint here on the new thread.

In full view of the media, Northern Kites Staff, Volunteers and members of FoRK, C6 was released on Kitewatch Hill, in the Derwent Country Park.
C6 nearly didn't make it - as a nestling, he fell out of the tree. Indomitable parents Red Philip and Flag, of Viaduct fame, kept feeding their chick. Happily walkers discovered him and after a period of rehab in the pens, C6 had his moment of glory. The sequence of images, taken by David Jones, the Treasurer of FoRK, tells its own story.

FoRK has been established to continue the conservation of these magnificent birds which grace our skies every day. We welcome reports of any sightings throughout the region. Kites have been seen at Druridge Bay, Plessey Woods, Ponteland and Allendale moving westwards in Northumberland, and at Causey Arch in Durham .

On Thursday 30th July, join us for the unveiling of a Banner, created by Alan Mould (Mouldy's Kingdom) at Tesco's in Rowlands Gill, at 9a.m. Coffee and refreshments in the Church Hall just opposite! Come and join in!

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Last edited by June Atkinson : Thursday 23rd July 2009 at 18:43.
Reason: revision

Saw the bit on LookNorth about little C6, seems a clever little thing for walking down the path still getting fed by the parents and thankfully then the walkers found him...not so clever for falling out in the first place. I didn't know he was Red Philip and Flags little one...those two have turned out to be really fantastic parents.

Saw the bit on LookNorth about little C6, seems a clever little thing for walking down the path still getting fed by the parents and thankfully then the walkers found him...not so clever for falling out in the first place. I didn't know he was Red Philip and Flags little one...those two have turned out to be really fantastic parents.

Absolutely, Margaret.........they have caught the imagination of everyone who goes along the Derwent Walk. It was fantastic to be there for the release. I was on the telly - well, the back of me was, holding a bright turquoise rucksack!!

Last edited by June Atkinson : Thursday 23rd July 2009 at 19:34.
Reason: font

The six-panel mural, depicting aspects of the Red Kites Project was unveiled this morning at Tesco's Store in Rowlands Gill.

This beautiful mural is the creation of Alan Mould, who lives in Kite Country. Keith Bowey, Project Leader, Volunteers, local people and the media were there for the unveiling of the plaque entitled "Spirit of the Valley".

Everyone agrees that these majestic birds lift the spirits of everyone who sees them; Alan has captured the essence of this in his mural, which links scenes of the kites in different places along the Derwent Valley.

Attached are some photos of the ceremony, and one of a passing Red Kite Bus, another example of the support shown by local business, Go North east.

It was a happy occasion, followed by refreshments in the Church Hall across the road. One lady remarked on just having witnessed a wonderful dancing display by a pair of kites above her home.

It was a privilege to be there for this final Event in the history of the Northern Kites Project. Alan's mural will be a lasting testimony and a daily reminder of these glorious birds which grace our northern skies.

The Friends of Red Kites now has a membership of 89. Why not join us and ensure that our kites remain a legacy for generations to come!

Just had first evidence of Autumn roosts gathering pace tonight, nine kites drifted over the village shortly before 8pm, probably from a pre-roost gathering at Sherburn Twrs Farm, heading towards Gibside for the night, (unless they were just going there to see the Voulez Vous concert which was on tonight!)

Just had first evidence of Autumn roosts gathering pace tonight, nine kites drifted over the village shortly before 8pm, probably from a pre-roost gathering at Sherburn Twrs Farm, heading towards Gibside for the night, (unless they were just going there to see the Voulez Vous concert which was on tonight!)

Did you not see the promotional advert, Alan?"Red Kites take centre stage at Voulez Vous Concert at Gibside" :-)
We were in the Derwent Caravan Park yesterday, with 7 year-old Sophie, who had a great time in the Playground. We saw three kites gliding above, so perhaps they are beginning to be a little more active.

Starting this next Monday, 14th September, a series of Walks with a difference.
Different dates, different starting points, earlier start and a chance to meet new friends.Poster attached gives all the information.
Come along and make yourself known to the rest of the Group!
Everybody welcome!

This is an Event primarily for Members of Friends of Red Kites, but it is also an opportunity for you to come along and join us.
It costs £6 annually for an individual and £8 for a household, regardless of number.
The Membership Secretary is Judy Summerson, 12 Sunnidale, Fellside Park, Whickham, NE16 5TT. We need the talents, energy and interest of those who hold dear the ever-growing kite population. We lost them once before; let's make sure that they survive for the enjoyment and enrichment of the lives of future generations.

ROOST WATCH Monday, 14th September between 5.30pm and dusk - come along to the Bus Stop at the top of Sherburn Towers Estate, Rowlands Gill, to see the beginnings of the Winter Roost.
Recently, our kites have begun to congregate in this area, just as they have done each Autumn since they were first introduced in 2004.

Members of Friends of Red Kites will be there with equipment to help you enjoy this spectacle, and answer any questions you might want to pose.

Come along and join in. Wrap up warmly, and if you have binoculars, please bring them.

Why not come and join the Friends of Red Kites on Monday next, 28th September.
All the details are on the Poster in a recent message. It's an opportunity to meet new people, and hopefully, see some kites. Yes, they are about; a dozen have been seen flying in the lower Derwent Valley.

Half a dozen Friends of Red Kites gathered again at the Bus Stop, at Sherburn Towers at about 4pm.
Two kites were already there, roosting in the farm copse opposite; gradually more came drifting in from all directions! Eight were roosting as Leonard and I left, so more may have arrived after that.
They seem to like the copse as a pre-roost, before going either to Sherburn Wood or towards Gibside for the night.Images show them flying over the fields and nearing the copse. One kite approaching me is showing a number of specific details:
the transmitter on the nape of the neck;
the tail twisting and acting as a rudder;
the lovely "fingers" at the ends of the wings.
Just wish I had had a better zoom! Maybe we can persuade someone to come and have a go! At times, the kites are right above your head!

Half a dozen Friends of Red Kites gathered again at the Bus Stop, at Sherburn Towers at about 4pm.
Two kites were already there, roosting in the farm copse opposite; gradually more came drifting in from all directions! Eight were roosting as Leonard and I left, so more may have arrived after that.
They seem to like the copse as a pre-roost, before going either to Sherburn Wood or towards Gibside for the night.Images show them flying over the fields and nearing the copse. One kite approaching me is showing a number of specific details:
the transmitter on the nape of the neck;
the tail twisting and acting as a rudder;
the lovely "fingers" at the ends of the wings.
Just wish I had had a better zoom! Maybe we can persuade someone to come and have a go! At times, the kites are right above your head!

Yes, please do. Being i/c the Newsletter for FoRK, I'm always on the look-out for superb images!
Seriously, it should be getting more interesting as the autumn progresses and the kites develop their winter roost patterns.

Yes, please do. Being i/c the Newsletter for FoRK, I'm always on the look-out for superb images!
Seriously, it should be getting more interesting as the autumn progresses and the kites develop their winter roost patterns.

I'll probably try to get to Rowlands Gill over the weekend if possible as I haven't been for months.